EIB to Provide Advisory Support for VÆRIDION Aircraft Development
The European Investment Bank will provide advisory services to German start‑up VÆRIDION under the EU Innovation Fund Project Development Assistance programme. The support is aimed at moving VÆRIDION’s Microliner – a nine‑seat, fully electric regional aircraft – from prototype to industrialisation. The company plans a first flight in 2027 and entry into service by 2030, with a manufacturing hub at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport. EIB assistance will shape the business plan, financing structure and risk analysis to attract public and private capital.
How to Stay Hydrated on Business Trips
VOSS has introduced a 250 ml still water bottle made from 100 % recycled PET, aimed at business travelers who value convenience and premium design. The compact format offers the brand’s signature Norwegian‑sourced water in a portable, luxury‑styled package. The product is...
Jet2's Collection of Certified Sustainable Hotels Grows to 1,500
Jet2holidays has expanded its Certified Sustainable Hotel programme to 1,500 properties, up from 800 at launch in 2023. The certification follows ABTA’s standards, covering energy, water, waste, local sourcing and community support. A dedicated trade portal now lets agents easily...
MNAA Boosts Leadership Team
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority announced two senior leadership appointments. Caleb Douglas was promoted to director of operations planning and project coordination, where he will oversee the $3 bn New Horizon expansion at Nashville International Airport. Samantha Hamilton was named director...
A Tale of 2 Mike’s: Jersey Mike’s Franchisee Adds Mike’s Red Tacos to Portfolio
Michael McGuire, who runs over 23 Jersey Mike’s Subs, is adding Mike’s Red Tacos to his 825 Ventures portfolio. The franchisee will open 15 birria‑focused locations, marking the first official franchise agreement for the San Diego‑born concept. Mike’s Red Tacos, a food‑truck‑to‑brick‑and‑mortar brand, has already secured more...
Speaker Spotlight: Jay Jhun, Senior Director, Loyalty and Digital, Church's Texas Chicken
Jay Jhun, senior director of loyalty and digital at Church's Texas Chicken, will speak at the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit’s “Grinding Your Franchise into Omnichannel Overdrive” session. He oversees the brand’s first‑party online ordering, the Real Rewards loyalty program,...
Tips, Advice for Selecting the Right Franchise Location
Restaurant franchising success hinges on selecting high‑traffic sites, as highlighted at the upcoming Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit in San Diego. Experts from Smoothie King, Little Caesars, Parlor Doughnuts, and Wienerschnitzel warned that overlooking fundamentals like rent‑to‑sales ratios, parking, and trade‑area strength can...
Passenger Traffic Across Europe Rises in January
ACI Europe reported that passenger traffic at European airports rose 4.6% in January versus a year earlier. Growth was led by international travel (+5.5%) and was strongest in the non‑EU market, which posted an 8.8% increase compared with 3.6% in...
Maldives Announced as Host Country of ITB Berlin 2027
The Maldives has been confirmed as the Official Host Country for ITB Berlin 2027, a partnership sealed at the 2026 edition of the trade show. Visit Maldives and Messe Berlin signed the agreement, positioning the island nation at the centre...
NBAA-BACE Headed to New Orleans for 2028
The National Business Aviation Association announced that its flagship NBAA‑BACE convention will take place in New Orleans from October 10‑12, 2028, marking the event’s inaugural visit to the city. The show will be hosted at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and nearby Louis Armstrong...
Business Jet Opens New Hangar Complex at Dallas Love Field
Business Jet has finished a two‑hangar, 70,000 sq ft complex at Dallas Love Field, expanding its campus to more than 475,000 sq ft across 19 hangars and two executive terminals. Both structures are fully leased; the west hangar offers a single‑tenant, custom‑floor, conditioned bay...
Jet Linx Resumes Local Investor Programme to Fuel Expansion
Jet Linx is relaunching its Base Partner Program, revamping the equity‑based model that pairs the private‑jet operator with local investors nationwide. The new structure gives investors a stake in the performance of all Jet Linx locations rather than individual bases,...
MakeMyTrip to Acquire Majority Stake in Flamingo Transworld
MakeMyTrip has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in regional tour operator Flamingo Transworld, though the purchase price remains undisclosed. Flamingo, with a 30‑year history, runs group travel packages across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh through 51...
Air Tahiti Nui Announces the Opening of a Direct Route Between Tahiti and Australia
Air Tahiti Nui announced a new direct, non‑stop service between Papeete and Sydney, launching its inaugural flight on 14 December 2026. The airline will operate two weekly flights, cutting travel time and simplifying itineraries for both passengers and freight. The route supports...
Trip.com Group Reinforces AI Innovation and European Collaboration at ITB Berlin
Trip.com Group showcased its AI-driven travel solutions at ITB Berlin, highlighting rapid growth in its TripGenie assistant and the launch of the all‑in‑one Trip.Planner itinerary hub. The company reported a 400% year‑over‑year rise in AI‑assisted bookings and a 300% surge...
How Hoteliers Can Use Reddit to Strengthen Visibility and Brand Reputation
Reddit, while not a traditional marketing channel, now shapes how travelers research destinations and evaluate hotels, often appearing in search results and AI‑driven answers. Hoteliers can leverage the platform by monitoring brand mentions and competitor discussions rather than engaging directly....
Mexico’s Tourism Security Challenge: Why the Country Needs a National Tourism Police
Mexico’s high‑season tourism faces a perception crisis after the February 2026 killing of cartel boss El Mencho sparked retaliatory violence, notably slowing visitor flow in Puerto Vallarta. While several destinations have created Tourism‑Oriented Police (TOPPs) units, they suffer from fragmented funding,...
Scaremongering by AENA Chairman Cannot Mask Flimsy Arguments for Increasing Airport Charges
IATA sharply rebuked AENA Chairman Maurici Lucena for linking airline calls to cut airport charges with safety concerns, labeling the argument as scaremongering. AENA is seeking a 16% increase in airport fees despite airlines’ push for cost‑efficient pricing. IATA highlighted...
SEABOURN INTRODUCES “YOURS TO EXPLORE EVENT,” OFFERING SUITE UPGRADES AND SHIPBOARD CREDIT
Seabourn has launched the “Yours to Explore Event,” a promotion running through May 5 2026 that grants a complimentary two‑category Veranda Suite upgrade and shipboard credit for bookings on 2026 and later voyages. Credits are tiered at $300 for itineraries of 13...
Embraer Unveils Praetor 600E and Praetor 500E
Embraer introduced the Praetor 600E and Praetor 500E, the first evolution of its Praetor family, featuring redesigned cabins and advanced passenger‑focused technology. The flagship 600E adds a 42‑inch 4K OLED Smart Window that supports video conferencing and real‑time external views. Both jets...
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Calls for Innovation and Resilience Amid Global “Poly-Crisis” At ITB Berlin
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett addressed ITB Berlin, warning that global tourism is confronting a “poly‑crisis” of climate, geopolitical and economic shocks. He highlighted Jamaica’s recent accolades—Destination of the Year and his own Tourism Minister of the Year Worldwide award—underscoring...
Hotels.com Rewards Is BACK – and Better than Ever for Low Spenders
Hotels.com announced the return of its original loyalty program for UK customers, ending the One Key scheme. The revamped Rewards gives a £100 credit after every ten nights booked, provided the average nightly rate is at least £75. This flat‑rate...
Abu Dhabi and Cambodia Success for SITA
SITA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi Airports to develop an AI‑driven Intelligent Total Management (iTAM) platform, aiming to unify real‑time data across the airport ecosystem. In parallel, SITA’s technology powered the opening of Cambodia’s new Techo International...
Thailand Tourism Targets Balkans to Expand Longhaul Group Travel
Thailand’s Tourism Authority is targeting the Balkans with a 2026 roadshow to capture long‑haul group travel demand. The initiative, visiting Belgrade, Cluj‑Napoca, Bucharest and Sofia, linked fifteen Thai tourism entrepreneurs with eighteen regional buyers. Rising middle‑class income, improved air connectivity...
Chatrium Hospitality Goes for the Sun, Sand and Sea
Chatrium Hospitality, traditionally a city‑hotel operator, is set to debut its first beach resort, Chatrium Rawai Phuket, with an opening slated for July‑August 2024 on Rawai beach in southern Phuket. The new property will comprise 304 rooms and eight villas...
India's Adani Group Severed From Nairobi Airport Expansion Role; Government to Go It Alone with PPPs
Kenya terminated the 30‑year lease agreement with India’s Adani Airports for the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, citing transparency concerns. The government will now pursue the airport’s expansion through public‑private partnerships, issuing tenders for a new terminal, a second runway, and...
Full House Resorts Inc (FLL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Full House Resorts (FLL) reported strong Q4 2025 results, highlighting a $120 million non‑core hotel sale at a 21‑times EBITDA multiple and a 3.2% RevPAR increase in its core portfolio. The company invested nearly $300 million in 2025 capital projects, including a...
Tuniu Corp (TOUR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Tuniu Corp reported a 20% year‑over‑year rise in Q4 net revenue to RMB123.5 million, driven by a 35% surge in packaged tour sales which now represent 83% of quarterly revenue. The company posted a modest RMB1.5 million GAAP net profit and RMB3.5 million...
Glass Or No Glass? How The DC-10 & McDonnell Douglas MD-11’s Cockpits Are Different
The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and MD-11 share an iconic tri‑jet silhouette, but their flight decks diverge dramatically. The older DC-10 retains a traditional analog cockpit with mechanical gauges, while the MD-11 introduced a glass cockpit featuring digital displays and integrated...
WTCE Roundtable Explores Digital Path to Profitable Inflight Food Retail
Ahead of the 2026 World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo, a WTCE‑hosted virtual roundtable explored how airlines can turn inflight food and beverage (F&B) from a cost centre into a profitable, digitally enabled retail experience. Panelists highlighted a mindset...
SH Airport Lounge Builds Scalable Hospitality Brand Across Vietnam Airports
SH Airport Lounge, operated by Noi Bai Aviation Services, has rebranded from its Sông Hồng roots to become a scalable hospitality brand across Vietnam’s airports. The network now runs more than 26 locations, offering two concepts: the open‑access SH Premium...
Spirit Airlines Slashes International Routes As Network Shrinks Further
Spirit Airlines announced a sweeping reduction of its international network, cancelling 11 routes and trimming frequencies on 22 more beginning mid‑April 2026. The cuts focus heavily on Florida gateways, with Fort Lauderdale and Orlando losing several Caribbean and Central American...
Cassie Duvall, Mo’Bettahs
Cassie Duvall has been appointed Director of Catering at Mo’Bettahs, bringing over two decades of restaurant and hospitality expertise. She previously led Cafe Rio’s catering division, overseeing a team that expanded sales across more than 160 locations. At Cafe Rio,...
Rich Shank, Technomic
Rich Shank serves as senior principal and vice president of innovation at Technomic, a premier research and advisory firm for the foodservice sector. He directs the restaurant advisory and innovation practices, helping clients with brand development, menu optimization, pricing analytics,...
E58. The Dealmaker
In a special “Checking In” episode honoring International Women’s Month, Hotelier Magazine’s editor Rosanna Caira interviews Patricia Phillips, CEO and Chair of the PBA Group of Companies. Phillips, one of the few female CEOs in the hospitality sector, has steered...
Wahlburgers Launches Limited-Time ‘Brothers’ Combo’
Wahlburgers has rolled out a limited‑time “Brothers’ Combo” that bundles one of three brother‑selected signature burgers with fries and a drink for as low as $12. The three burgers—Chef Paul’s Our Burger, Donnie’s BBQ Bacon Burger, and Mark’s O.F.D.—feature Certified...
Emily Williams-Knight, Texas Restaurant Association
Dr. Emily Williams Knight has been president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association and its foundation since August 2019. She leveraged her 20‑plus years of global experience to obtain critical government waivers and federal aid that helped thousands of...
Flore Café Celebrates First Anniversary with Cherry Blossom-Themed High Tea
Flore Café marks its first anniversary with the “Flore in Bloom” cherry‑blossom high‑tea, debuting March 8 and later expanding to a pop‑up at Oasis Sushi & Listening Bar. The 14‑course, $89 menu blends European tea service with Japanese influences, featuring lobster...
Yaofei Feng, Fantuan Delivery
Yaofei Feng co‑founded Fantuan Delivery, an Asian food‑delivery and life‑service platform active in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia. Before Fantuan, he engineered large‑scale systems at Amazon, gaining deep infrastructure expertise. As Fantuan’s former CTO, Feng built the R&D...
Tony Bandanza, Uber Technologies
Tony Bandanza has been appointed head of Uber’s US&C Restaurant Advertising business, overseeing strategy and execution for one of the company’s fastest‑growing revenue streams. He rejoined Uber in 2022 to lead the global Yum! Brands partnership, expanding Pizza Hut’s presence across...
Tyler Schack, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Tyler Schack has been appointed Vice President of Technology & Guest Insights at Walk‑On’s Sports Bistreaux, where he will steer enterprise technology strategy and guest‑intelligence programs. His mandate includes boosting brand growth, franchisee profitability, and operational scalability across the restaurant...
This IHG Hotel in Turks & Caicos Is Now Open Near a Stunning Turquoise-Water Beach
IHG has opened its first Hotel Indigo in the Turks and Caicos Islands, branding the new property as Hotel Indigo Turks & Caicos Grace Bay. The boutique hotel sits steps from the world‑renowned Grace Bay Beach and features 56 rooms...
Delta Air Lines Smashes Summer Flights To Europe: Largest-Ever Schedule Revealed
Delta Air Lines announced its largest‑ever summer schedule, operating an average of 95 daily nonstop flights across the North Atlantic in Q3 2026 – a 1.6% increase over its previous record. The airline will serve 28 European airports, including new seasonal...
Straight From the Source: Cetis
Hotel Business released a Straight From the Source video featuring Zac Crump, director of business development at Cetis. Crump outlines Cetis’ end‑to‑end guest‑room solution across five brands, covering in‑room phones, appliances, and upcoming product lines. The segment also provides a...
AHLA Brings Industry Leaders Together to Accelerate Responsible Growth
The American Hotel & Lodging Association hosted its fourth Responsible Stay Summit, uniting its Sustainability and Food & Beverage committees for the first time. Attendees exchanged best practices on responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and water conservation, while the event honored...
Marriott International Achieves Record Growth in Caribbean and Latin America in 2025
Marriott International reported a record‑breaking 2025 in its Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region, signing 94 deals that added 10,461 rooms. The portfolio grew to 555 open properties and more than 95,000 rooms across 37 countries, a 40% jump in...
Credit Card Transfer Partners: Guide to Transferring Points and Miles to Airlines and Hotels
The Points Guy released a comprehensive guide that maps credit‑card points and miles to their airline and hotel transfer partners, detailing transfer ratios and current valuations. It highlights the top flexible‑points cards from issuers such as American Express, Chase, Capital...
The Premium Economy Boom That Expanded Fast Is Now A Revenue Staple
Premium economy, first introduced in the late 1970s, has evolved into a core revenue product for airlines worldwide. Today, carriers from legacy to hybrid low‑cost operators equip new A350 and 787 aircraft with factory‑installed premium cabins offering up to 42‑inch...
Cost and Safety Concerns Reshape U.S. Meetings Industry, MMGY Study Finds
A new MMGY Travel Intelligence study of 300 planners and 1,000 attendees shows cost and safety dominate U.S. meetings decisions. Sixty‑three percent of planners flag travel expenses, while 72 % weigh crime levels when selecting cities. Despite these pressures, 90 % still...
Motel One Innovates Operations Using Oracle Cloud
European upscale hotel chain Motel One completed a full migration of its 101 properties in 13 countries to Oracle’s OPERA Cloud PMS within a four‑month window. The cloud platform delivers a unified data foundation, built‑in analytics, and access to over...